Careers

Summer Associates

Our firm has a tradition of hiring summer associates in anticipation of permanent job offers being made in the fall. We have very little turnover, in part, because many of our partners and associates came to us through our summer associate program and have stayed with the firm.

About half of our attorneys are litigators, but we do not pigeonhole summer associates. Instead, we ask all of our partners to provide summer associates with work so that each is exposed to a variety of practice areas. Additionally, we try to assure that summer associates are not confined to legal research and drafting. A summer associate may expect to accompany lawyers to depositions, court and administrative agency hearings, trials, closings, etc.

In addition to work, we offer social events as a way for our summer associates and us to get to know each other. Attorneys will often act one-on-one to take summer associates to lunch, sporting events, and other functions.

During the course of the program, summer associates may expect feedback from the individual attorneys providing assignments. Additionally, the recruiting partner will act as coordinator of the summer program, providing summer associates with a contact to whom they may turn with questions and concerns.

Summer associates will be evaluated for outstanding ability to communicate both verbally and in writing. We will be looking for individuals who are comfortable with and for our clients, attorneys and support personnel. Self-motivation and a willingness to work hard are musts. We do not want to waste our time, or the time of anyone who is not genuinely interested in permanently locating and working in the Rock River Valley.

Summer associate salary is competitive for the market and region.

Minimum requirements for consideration

We are looking only for 2Ls who are in the top half of their law school class.

We generally do not offer split-summer positions.

How to apply

Please provide a PDF cover letter, unofficial law school transcript and resume to the recruiting partner via email.

A writing sample is encouraged but not required.

If you know someone in our firm or a client or friend of the firm, let us know.

WilliamsMcCarthyLLP traces its origins to 1937, when Karl Williams began his practice in Rockford. Mr. Williams soon formed a partnership with John McCarthy and John Kinley, an association that endured for nearly fifty years, until Mr. Williams’ death. The firm of WilliamsMcCarthyLLP has grown to become one of the largest firms in the region. In addition to its state-of-the-art offices on the banks of the Rock River in downtown Rockford, the firm also an office 30 miles south of Rockford, in Oregon, Illinois, the county seat of Ogle County.

The firm has a general civil practice, emphasizing the representation of businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and governmental entities. Our clients include manufacturers, service providers, health care providers (including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, physician groups, and individual physicians), local governments and governmental institutions, not-for-profit educational institutions, real estate development companies, media and information technology companies and banking institutions. The firm represents substantial numbers of individuals, primarily in the areas of business, estate and tax planning. An expanding litigation practice, both in the federal and state courts, includes significant amounts of, labor and employment law, civil rights, workers’ compensation, complex commercial litigation and insurance defense. The firm also has a significant mergers and acquisition practice.

Rockford’s economy has a large and diverse manufacturing base and fast-growing expanding healthcare, aerospace and information technology sectors. This economic environment creates a greater demand for sophisticated and specialized legal services than in many other cities of comparable size. Yet, the quality and diversity of the firm’s practice within this environment allow an individuality and flexibility in each member’s practice that typically is not found in larger firms.

The firm’s size and informal structure facilitate a friendly and open atmosphere. Our Rockford offices are spacious and comfortable, and located within walking distance of the state and federal courthouses. In addition to state-of-the-art infrastructure, our offices feature scenic views of Rockford’s river district and are decorated with award winning photography by some of the region’s leading artists.

The firm has always been committed to the effective use of technology as an essential tool in the cost-efficient delivery of high quality legal services. Every attorney is provided with an ergonomically designed PC work station in his or her office and access to a wide variety of online research materials, including access to Westlaw, RIA, BNA Tax Portfolios and IICLE Smartbooks, as well as a wide selection of print materials such as the United States Code Annotated and the Illinois Digests. A full-time office administrator manages our administrative and support staff.

Among the advantages of practicing law outside of a major metropolitan area is the fact that billable hour expectations tend to be lower and commuting times shorter (five to fifteen minutes, for most members of the firm). That leaves the firm’s attorneys with the time to pursue other interests, both professional and nonprofessional.

The firm has an excellent reputation for its service to pro bono and organized bar activities. Firm members are active in the county bar association and county bar foundation (including several members who have served as president of those organizations); firm members hold positions in the state bar association ranging from the assembly to chairing and serving on various committees. One of our attorneys served for many years as a representative in the ABA House of Delegates. Associates are encouraged to observe this tradition by becoming active in the state and local bars.

Firm members are also active with their families, schools, and the community. Many of our attorneys are involved in youth activities through youth sports leagues, churches, and other community organizations. The firm’s attorneys also have a strong tradition of providing public service to the community through a wide variety of charitable and community service organizations.

Rockford has an abundance of recreational and cultural opportunities. The community has an outstanding park district, with parks located throughout the community. The “crown jewel” of the park district consists of an eight-mile paved path along the banks of the Rock River which is a favorite route for running, walking, and biking, and which is scheduled for gradual lengthening. The local YMCA is located adjacent to this path and approximately eight blocks from our office. There are also numerous golf courses within Rockford, and the city has its own symphony orchestra, regional theater, dance company, art museum, natural history museum, and youth discovery center.

WilliamsMcCarthyLLP is committed to a policy of continued growth. That means measured hiring of qualified candidates for associate positions and maintenance of a strong summer associate program. The firm invites inquiries from interested students of all law schools. Applicants will be informed of a decision or further interviews within three weeks, and students invited to the firm’s offices will be fully reimbursed for their reasonable travel expenses. Students or attorneys interested in applying for a full-time position or our summer associate program should address their inquiries to our hiring partner via email or U.S. mail.

If your interest is working on our staff as an administrative assistant or paralegal, inquiries should be directed to our office administrator via email or U.S. mail.

Firm Administrator

WilliamsMcCarthyLLP is committed to diversity in hiring and will not discriminate against any applicant because of sex, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, disability, age, marital status, status of discharge from any component of the U.S. armed forces, sexual orientation or identification.

Need Assistance?

If you have any questions or would like to request more information, please contact us.